The HPA Notebook

Photo Credit: Elanor Andreassen This year’s BHPFC’s Icarus Cup Competition, held at Sywell Aerodrome, saw Niall Paterson complete the Jacobson Figure of Eight course on his first attempt, capturing the Jacobson Figure 8 Prize in the first year it was offered. The ￡1000 prize was awarded to Paterson after his completion of 1.5 loops of the figure of eight in just under 3 minutes. The award, open to individuals and teams from anywhere in the world, is awarded to the aircraft that flies the farthest after one completion of a figure of eight with turning points set 350m apart. Paterson flew Aerocycle 3, a human-powered airplane designed and built by John Edgley. Aerocycle 3 claimed the team prize this year at the rally, and Paterson also won the individual pilot Icarus Cup this year, repeating his victory from last year. A video of Paterson’s history-making flight

Photo Credit: Elanor Andreassen This year’s BHPFC Icarus Cup Competition was held at Sywell Aerodrome, in Sywell, Northamptonshire, England from July 14 - 22. Two airplanes and their teams, Aerocycle 3 and Airglow, competed in the international competition. The Icarus Cup was awarded to the winning pilot, Niall Paterson, who repeated his win from last year. The newly-established Jacobson Figure of Eight prize of ￡1000 was also awarded to Niall Paterson after he completed 1.5 loops of the figure of eight. The team award of ￡1000 was awarded to Aerocycle 3, an HPA designed and built by John Edgley. This year’s competition saw two airplanes, Aerocycle 3 and Airglow, compete in 10 different tasks: Duration 200m time trial 1 km time trial 500m slalom course Distance around a triangular course Unassisted takeoff performance Landing accuracy Takeoff from grass 200m time trial with takeoff from grass Jacobson Figure of Eight Approximately one dozen pilots competed in this year’s compet...

Human powered flight has captured man's imagination since the mythological times of Ancient Greece. The elusive goal of Leonardo Da Vinci, flying under one's own power, continues to intrigue and inspire mankind. This blog is devoted to human powered aircraft (HPAs), past, present and future. In the tradition of the inventor's notebook, the HPA Notebook documents the history of HPAs; examines current flying HPAs, their construction, designers/builders and pilots; and delves into the future of the art, science and sport. Whether you build, dream, spectate, fly or hope to fly, welcome to the HPA Notebook!